So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.
NUMBERS 35:7KJVWhat does Numbers 35:7 mean?
Numbers 35:7 states that the Levites were to receive forty-eight cities, each with surrounding land, as their places to live among the other tribes of Israel. This verse sets out the specific number of cities and makes clear that these cities would include their "suburbs," meaning the open land around them.
In context, God is instructing Moses to tell the Israelites how to allocate land once they enter Canaan. The Levites, who served in religious duties and had no tribal territory of their own, were to be given these cities spread throughout the land. This arrangement ensured the Levites would live among all the tribes, supporting their unique role and responsibilities.
The Hebrew behind Numbers 35:7
- cities (עָיר, ʿir): This word refers to towns or inhabited places. The repetition in the verse emphasizes the concrete, physical locations being assigned.
- give (נָתַן, natan): This verb means "to give" or "to assign." It underscores that these cities were not taken or claimed by the Levites, but rather granted to them by the other tribes as a deliberate act.
- Levites (לֵוִי, Leviyy): This term identifies the tribe set apart for religious service. The verse highlights their special status by specifying their allotted cities.
- suburbs (מִגְרָשׁ, migrash): This word refers to the open land or pastureland around each city, not just the city itself. This detail shows the Levites would have space for their livestock and daily needs, not just homes.
Why Numbers 35:7 matters
- Numbers 35:7 clarifies that the Levites were intentionally placed throughout Israel, not concentrated in one area, which helped keep their religious influence widespread.
- The verse shows that the Levites depended on the generosity and obedience of the other tribes for their homes, reinforcing their unique, non-landowning status.
- By specifying both cities and their surrounding land, the verse addresses practical needs, showing that the Levites were to be provided for in a complete and thoughtful way.